Cigar-bunch manipulator



June 24, 1930. J. F. HALSTEAD- CIGAR'BUNCH MANIPULATOR Filed Aug. -.'50, 1928 2 Sheets-Shee l INVENTO BY? /z/ 'l l i 7 ToREY June-24, 1930.

J. F. HALsTx-:AD 1,765,831

CIGAR BUNGH- MANIPULATOR Filed Aug. 30, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 24, 1930 Jo'HiviFREDIaIK HALs'rE'anoF Bno'ox'ririv, riavvia/ioni; esercito?, 'ro mrnanafrronar.

Ycreme,rarissimiRY compartir, A/ooaromirron or new JEnsnY f crean-runen MAnrrUri/aron Application :ned August so, 192s. 'serial no. enanas.

p This invention relates'to improvementsin cigar bunch manipulators designed particu larly'fii'or` use in cigar machines to prepare vthe freshly rolled bunches for shaping or 5 crimping operations. The iiller of a freshly rolled bunch is usually unevenly compacted Y' Vand 1t is common, in making cigars by machinery, to provide a bunch manipulator in which bunches are "rolled between a rotating the bunches Vare `slightly squeezed to thereby evenly distribute. the tobacco Vwithin f the bunch; f v y f ,'Hitherto, in manipulators of .this type,the bunchhas been delivered onone-side of `the drum, rolled approximatelyV half' way round the drum and ejected on the .opposite side. It is an object of the invention to provide a manipulator in which *the bunches pass almost completelyv aroundthe drum, to be ejected at a position adjacent the kdelivery position. This arrangement makes possible an improved manipulatorwhich is lsimpler permitted looseningof the binder which had f been tightened about thev bunch during manipulation. It/fis, accordingly, another ob- Yject of the inventionl toxproduce anbunch manipulator in which the lbinderwill be held against looseninggfrom.. the timeilof ejection until the bunch is seized by the transfer device. y

It has been foundr desirable to meisten the bunch prior to shaping. `However,. ifvmoisture isr applied tothe bunch before or during the vmanipulating operation, the` concave .member will collect the excess water'which, together with the tobacco dust always Apresent, willvr form a puddle through which the bunch will have to pass."y By applying the 'moisture after the bunch hasy .left the manip- .ulator, the latteris kept.y dry. Itis, thereits. `transfer from drum. and a. concaveisurface, between whichl .sistsjoi'l certain constructions' .and combinaandmore compact, and iny which the fdrunr fore., still another object of the inventiontd` i'.

provide aneiiiective moistening devicewhich will moisten either end of. thebunch'during n the bunch manipulator to the Shaper. Y

' Still another object is to provide suitable mechanism for centering the bunch' after ejection Jfrom the ifnani-pulator,'` so that the bunch will be moistened-at the` right places and will arrive at the Shaper in ,ajproperly centered yposition for shapingthereby.` f

Another--object is to provide asimple re.- sili'ent mounty fortheconcave memberA hav.-V ingv no1 wearing pa'r.ts,`whichr -.will permit yielding' of `the concave ymember in aradial direction, While. preventingk undesirable f lateraltiltingwith respect tothe drum. y

With these` and other `objects notspecifically mentioned inV view,` theinvention contionswhich Awillbe hereinafter fully" described and thcnset` forth `in the .hereunto appended claims.. f

In the l accompanying 1 drawings which form. apart 'of this 1 specification and which like charactersa oir` reference vdesig! nate .the same or'lilrejpartsi i f; f

V.Fig lis a sideelevation ofthe improved y cigar bunch manipulatory". f F ig. 2 is a top viewfof he device lshowns 'Figj is. a front'elevation of thel same; Fig. i isa rear elevation of the -same, partly in section;.and.

i f. Fig. 5 is a detailnvlewin side elevation. .showingtheebu'nch ejecting mechanism.

a In carrying. the' invention into effect, :there 4isfprovided. a krotating drum, a member vhav.`v

ing a surface encircling the majorportion of' the circumference of. the druml and spaced fromlthe drum. less than'the' diameter of a bunch to slightly squeeze cigarbunches between said surface yand the drum, and

this member hasv an opening at one side of' the. drum to. receive the bunches .between r said surface and the drum 1n order: to' vroll lthem-1n `a path approximately circumscribing thefdrum andrto permit subsequent ejection of thefbunches` at aposition'adjac'entf the receiving position. The best k.construc- Y construction shown and'described.

tions of the invention will also include trans- VVfer means toseizeand forward the ejected 'bunches to the shaper, together with means for holding the binders of theV bunches against loosening from the moment ofrejection until the bunches are seized by said transferimea'ns. 1n. the preferred construc-v tion, there will be provided `in combination with the cigar vbunch manipulator, a trans'-y 'fer means for forwarding'the Vbunches to the shaper, together with means in the `path ofr Y.said transfer means for moistening either 4endV of the cigar bunches to 'prepare theV lsame for the shaping operation. YThe above means may be widely' varied in construction .-Within" the scope ofthelclaims, since the v.particular.machine selected to illustrate the vn'ianipulator by transfer v7. manipulatorv the bunch isl delivered through an opening in. the concave member 8 into invention isvbut one of many possible. embodiments ofthe saine. Theinvention ltherefore is not to be restricted to thespeciiic `Referring to the drawings, as shown in Figs. 1i to 4,the freshly rolled bunch B is delivered from the rolling table 6 -to the At the 4. the'spac'e between said concave memberand Ythe side ofa rotating'druin .9, mounted on the v`shaft'lO, supported byV a bi'aclretll and driven by a sprocket 12 anda chain 13.

from the cigar machine.V The concave member 8 hasa cylindricalsurf'ace 8a encircling 'Y the Vmajor portion of the drum, and this surfacev is spaced from the drinn a distance slightly less than the diameter of a bunch to lightly squeeze saidbunch between the drum and the surface. To be readily removable for cleaning, the'drum 9 is held in placed by lever 14,'which is locked by the plungerrl held 'intension by the, compression spring 16, the end of the shaft `12lo`eing bored toreceivetheplunger and Vthe spring.

To permit radial movement of the'surface 8? withY respect to the drum, the concave member 8 is m'ountedby two pairs oflresili-v Y 'ent'rods 17 and ,'18 parallel to each other. v`andthe aXisof the drum, which are .fas-V tened at two positionsY along their length to the concaveinember by fthe blocks 19 `and at another .position along their length to thel Vpedestal or support 20., bythe blocks 21,

leach.y of said, blocks serving to lock. the two parallel rods together.

mountingrr-the concave member permits movement of the member only in a direction perpendicular tothe axis of the drum, so

Y YVthat the concave member must always move with its rolling surface arallelv to the axis ofthe'drum. Thus, thehigh or hard spots i in the bunch must ltake most of the pressure,

which pressureby therarrangement of the Yresilientrods 17 and 18 shown, vis made substantially .uniform around the circumference'of 'the drum.k l f VThis method of Y After a bunch has been delivered betweenV the concave member and the rotating drum,

it is rolled almost completely around the drum and ejected from 'under the concavek member by the rolling action of the drum at a position adjacent the Vdelivery position. Thisrolling action .tightens 1 the binder Varound the bunch and it has been foundthat if the binder can be heldin this tightened* i position until it reaches the shaper, amore perfect cigar will result., For this purpose,

a support or cradle 23 is provided which, to-y gether with lingers 2i and bracket 25, form a. gripper.. p Bracket 25l yis pivoted on ar pin 26 of the gripper support 27.v The fingers 24 arey pressed towards the cradle or support 28 by a compression spring 28, to

thereby vlightly gripV the ejected bunch. Y While the bunch is in the manipulator, the cradle 23 is in its low'position shown inV dotted lines in Fig. 5, butl ejectionV of bunch actuates said gripper through the ngers129` projecting from the end of the concave member 8 to raise the Ygripperjinto Yengagement with the bunch.v The finger 297' is pivotally mounted byime'an'svof a sha-ft also secured to the shaft 81 operatesthe gripper as a result of lifting of the-linger `29 by the ejected b'unch.-1Finger29` is spring pressed against the drum by 'a torsion spring 32. Accordingly, when a bunch is ejected, the finger 29 islifted and through the lever 30 connected by a pin '84, the cradle is lifted under the bunch and the bunch is the fingerv 24.-, and is thereby heldv without the binder being. released. The limiting po- 31 on the concave member 8 and a lever 8O -ioc rolled by the drum between said cradle` and Y sitions of the cradle are controlled by the 'adjusting screws 35Von bracket 27.

To prevent the bunch fromarriving in the shaper when not properly centered,'the

bunch centering. means orvpositioners .86 on n,

fixed collarsV 4t2 fastened to said shafts. The

levers 39 and 40 are fulcriimed en. the

brackets 38 and are actuated from Vthe-cigarr machine in timed relation to the operation of. the manipulator by rod t3 attached to the o end of one arm of the double armed lever 39. The second arm of the lever 59 is connected with. lever at() byrod all. Position-- ers 36 arel on the center line of the bunch V as its rests in the gripper, and when re-' ciprocated to their inner position, the bunch Ywill Vbe properly centeredzfortransfer to the shaper. f

After being centered, :the bunch is forwarded by the transfer 22 for shaping. During-forwarding, both 'endsof the bunch engage with the moistened wicks l5 (Figs.

l4( which is fastened to the pedestal `2O.,

from the bent bars 46 attached to a bracket The amountv of moisture applied to the bunch is regulated by the width of the in lugs 51' of pedestal 28, are reciprocated' vertically so that the wicks are dipped in the cups when the cups are in their uppermost position. ,Vertical reciprocation of these cups is caused by a rod 52 attached to the bracket 49, which engages abar projecting from a reciprocating shaper. f

lV hat is claimed is:

l. In a cigar bunch manipulator, the combination with a rotating drum, ofr a member having a surface encircling the major portion of the circumference of the drumand spaced therefromI less than the 'diameter of a bunch to squeeze cigar bunches between said'surface and the drum, said member having an opening at one side ,of the drumto receive the bunches between said surface and the drum vfor rolling moveinent in a path approximately.circuinscribing said druml and to permit subsequent ejection adjacent the receiving position, transfer means to seize and forward the ejected bunches, and means forrholdiiiig the binders tl'i'ereof'again'st loosening from the momentv of ejection yuntil the bunches are seized by said traii'sfer'means.

2. In a cigar bunch. manipulator, the

combination with A a rotating drum, of aAv member having a surface encircling the transfer means to seize" and forward the ejected bunches, and means for holding the binders thereof against loosening from the moment of ejection until seized by said transfer means, including a bunch actuated gripper. y Y y 3. In a cigar bunch manipulator, the combination with a rotating drum,of a Y.member having av surface encircling the vmajor portion of the circumference ofthe drum and spaced therefrom less than the diameter of a bunch to squeeze cigar bunches between said surface and the drum, said member having an opening at one side of the drum to receive therbunches between said surface and the drum for `rolling movement in a element of the patli approximately circumscribirfigEA said y'drum' and to permit' subsequent ejection adjacent the receiving position, transfer means to seize andcforward'ithe'ejected bunches, and means for holding the binders of said bunches `against loosening from the moment of L'ejection until seized by Asaidtransfer` means, including springpressed fingers co-v operating withy Ithe drum to receive fthe bunches as they are ejected, and meansfoperated'by said fingers to` successively 'grip the bunches and swing the rsame intothc range of action of the transfer means. j g

4. In a cigar bunch'manipulator, the combination with a-rotating drum, of a member having a'surface `encircling the major por.

tion'of Athe circumference of the drum fand spaced therefromless than the diameter of a bunch to. squeeze cigarbunche's between `said surface and theA drum, vsaidvmenriber having an opening at one side-ofthe drum to 'receive the bunches between said surface and the drum for" rolling movement in a path approximately circumscribinpjacent the receiving position, and'spacedfresilient rod mounts for said' member yieldable only in al planeperpendicular toV the rairis-'of the vdrum to 'permit a 'radial movement .but prevent llateral tilting yofsaidj'sur-VA face with respect to said drum. Vf

Y V5.`In a cigar' machine,fthe` combination Ywith meansfor mani ulatin cidar'bunches and tliei'i-"ejecting r`the same, kof transfer means for seizing vand forwarding theejec'tedy bunches', and means 4for holding the bind- Iers thereof against loosening from the moinc'i'itv` of ejection until.l the bunch is 'seized by saidtransfermeans. f

, 6. In 'acigar machine, the combination ywith means"y for manipulating `cigar'bunches and then ejectingr ythe n same, of "transfer means for seizing and forwarding the ejected bunches, and means for holding the bind ers thereof against loosening from; the moment of ejection until the bunch is seized said vdrum'and to permit subsequent ejection adby said transfer means,y said means for holdl ingr the binders including a bunch actuated gripper.

7. In a cigar machine, the combination with meansy for manipulating cigar bunches and then ejecting the saine, of `transfer means for seizing and forwarding the ejected bunches, yand means for holding the binders thereof against looseningufrom the `moment of ejection until the bunch is seized by said transfer means, said means for'hold'- ing the Abinders includingv spring pressed fingers bearing on said. bunches as tliey are ejected,- and means operated by said lingers to successively grip said bunches and swing the same into the range yof action ofthe transfer -means.

v8. In a cigar machine provided with a bunch Shaper, the combination with a cigary 7 y4 c r 1,765,831

bunch manipulator7 of transfer means forv forwarding bunches from said manipulator" Yto the shaperv andwioks in the path .of said transfer means for. 'moistening eitherend of Q the cigar bunches. 4 Y Y Y 9. In acigar machineprovided -With a :bunch Shaper, the combination Ywith a cigar Y bunchmanipulator, ofrtransfer .means for Y forwarding bunches from said manipulator .lo to the shaperr and means lin the path of said transfer means for ,moiste'ning eitherV end of the cigarV bunches, said means including K f Wicks suspended .with their ,pendant ends in the path of the bunch. v Y Y 10;,InaV cigar machine provided yWith a bunch Shaper, the combination With a cigar bunch ,manipulaton of transfer means vfor forwarding bunches from said manipulator to theshaper and means in the path of saidV 'p20 transfer means for moistening either end of the( cigar bunches, saidk means including .Wicks suspendedvin the path ofthe bunch,

and vertically reciprocating cups'for peril o'dically vmoistening said.y Wicks. Y 1l, The combinationlwith means for orf YWarding cigar bunches,' of means for moistening'v said bunches during 4the forwarding ,movement including arwick suspended with Va pendant end ingthe'V path of the bunch, and Y 130 ayertica'lly reciprocating cup for periodi cally moistening said end, Y f 12.111 va cigar A bunch .Y manipulator, the

Y combination with a'pair of Vrelatively mov-Y k, ingmembers coactingito roll abunch between them, of a resilient mount for securing one of said members toa support comprising a pair of parallel resilient rods, both secured 1 at one position' along their length to one of Vthe members and at anothervposition alongV 40 their;V length to the support. y Y

.In testimonyzwhereof, I have 'signed my Y 11a-ine to this speciiication. y i Y Y JOHN FREDRIK HALSTEAD. 

